Best Outdoor Water Park

Launch into your family's summer vacation with a splash at one of these amazing outdoor water parks. Amidst the pealing laughter of children, adrenalin-spiking slides and tasty fried food, you'll also find plenty of lazy river floats, private cabanas and frozen drinks. Whether you're a family with easy-to-please preschoolers or hard-to-impress teenagers, you can wow them all with a full day of water fun at these parks.

These 10 outdoor water parks were selected by our featured panelists and contributors and voted on by readers as the best of the best.

1. Massanutten Outdoor WaterPark | Massanutten, VA

Located at a 6,000-acre resort with endless activities, Massanutten Outdoor WaterPark is a huge draw for summer visitors. If you have any thrill chasers in your group, they'll love Mass Mayhem and its 47-foot drop that provides a zero-gravity sensation, and for the kid who is a little more timid, the double-tube Peak Plunge is a great introduction to the wild world of waterslides.

2. Kentucky Kingdom Theme Park & Water Park | Louisville, KY

You're in for an exhilarating day of rides and slides at Kentucky Kingdom's two-in-one attraction. Put your bravery to the test on Deep Water Dive, one of the world's tallest body slides with a 121-drop that'll make your stomach flip. If you're not feeling up to that particular challenge, the fast-moving Adventure River may be more your speed.

3. Noah's Ark Waterpark | Wisconsin Dells, WI

As the biggest outdoor water park in the United States, Noah's Ark Waterpark boasts over 50 waterslides, two wave pools and five different play areas for small kids. Must-see attractions include Raja, the largest slide of its kind in the world, and the 10-story-high Scorpion's Tail. Weekend events like Kids Fest kick the fun up a notch with foam parties and live performers.

4. Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, IN

Save money when you choose Holiday World & Splashin' Safari for your next family adventure. This attraction offers free parking, sunscreen and unlimited soft drinks, and each ticket includes admission to both parks. Although, your big kids may want to spend their whole day flying down the award-winning Mammoth Water Coaster while your smallest crew members check out the eight slides dedicated just for them.

5. Dollywood's Splash Country | Pigeon Forge, TN

Inspired by Dolly's childhood creek escapades in the Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood's Splash Country is a wholesome, family-friendly water park. Pile the parents and older kids into a raft for Tennessee's only water coaster—RiverRush—while grandma and the tots hop on a tube and float down a 1,500-foot lazy river. Don't leave without trying one of Ned's Bear Paws, a fried dough delight covered in sweet or savory toppings.

6. The Wilderness Territory at Wilderness Resort | Wisconsin Dells, WI

With four outdoor water parks, The Wilderness Territory offers something for everyone. Cubby's Outdoor by Lake Delton is perfect for tots and their families, and New Frontier is popular with young kids ready for their first slide rides. The Island Pool and hot-tub area at Lake Wilderness are a big hit with parents, but if you've got a pre-teen itching for excitement, check out Lost World.

7. The Boardwalk at Hersheypark | Hershey, PA

Start your morning at the Boardwalk with a little friendly competition on Whitecap Racer, the longest mat racing slide in the world, and the winner can splash everyone else later at East Coast Waterworks, which features over 600 interactive water toys and a 1,000-gallon tipping bucket. Each ticket also includes access to Hersheypark and ZooAmerica for a fun-packed day.

8. Universal Volcano Bay | Orlando, FL

When you want a refreshing break from the heat of Orlando's theme parks, head to Universal Volcano Bay. Lush landscaping surrounds the park's huge volcano, where slides twist, turn and drop at a moment's notice. To beat the lines in the afternoon, head straight to Krakatau Aqua Coaster and then keep your heart rate up with a 70-degree fall on Ko'okiri Body Plunge.

9. Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park | Lake Buena Vista, FL

Thanks to Disney's Typhoon Lagoon's incredible theming (see the shipwrecked Miss Tilly atop Mount Mayday), your kids may really believe they've stumbled upon a storm-ravaged island. When they aren't soaking up all the amazing details, they'll be racing down rides like Crush 'n' Gusher and Miss Adventure Falls before catching 6-foot waves in North America's largest wave pool.

10. Water Country USA | Williamsburg, VA

New attractions at Water Country USA will keep you coming back year after year. Watch your little kids get soaked at High Tide Harbor, a brand-new multilevel water-play structure, and then chase your teen down the recently opened Nitro Racer. Of course, no visit is complete without a ride on the Cutback Water Coaster. Pro move: Plan your trip for a weekday to enjoy lower crowd levels.

About Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For more details, read our terms and conditions. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readerschoice@newsweek.com.

Our Featured Panelists

Catherine Parker has a passion for travel that's driven her across North America, visiting all 50 states, seven Canadian provinces and seven Mexican states as well as top destinations in the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. After graduating from the University of Houston, Catherine started her career in travel and tourism as a flight attendant. A writer for over 10 years, she maintains an active roster of national publications. Catherine also publishes a travel website, CarfulOfKids.com. Her favorite places are national parks, museums and sidewalk cafés. She's torn between a weekend in the mountains or the beach.

Heather Raulerson is a freelance travel writer and photographer who left a traditional 9–5 job to explore the world. She spent a year backpacking through Europe and Asia, even living in Thailand for 4 months. A lover of SLOW travel and getting to know the local culture, Heather is always exploring with her camera. She has been featured in several publications. Follow her adventures at raulersongirlstravel.com.

Jill Robbins is an expert writer focusing on family and adventure travel as well as practical tips to help everyone get the most value out of their vacation experience. Jill's work has appeared in AAA Texas, Southern Living, Business Insider, Fodor's Travel and more. She lives in San Antonio with her husband and two sons, but she's usually somewhere else. Learn more about her travels at www.jillgoes.com.

Melissa Garcia, known as the ConsumerQueen, is a full-time content creator with over 20 years of experience helping people save money and make savvy decisions. Her mission is to teach others to save where they can so they can spend on what they love. Melissa shares the best products to make life easier and also owns RoamingMyPlanet and The Oklahoma Homesteader, where she continues to inspire and educate her audience.

Robin O'Neal Smith is a freelance writer covering food, travel, wine and lifestyle topics. A "foodie," she enjoys savoring the food and wine wherever her travels take her and finding the hidden gems in destinations to share with her readers. She resides in Pennsylvania, and her work has appeared in Potomac Lifestyle, Travel Awaits, She Buys Travel, Extended Weekend Getaways and many others. Robin has appeared on various podcasts as an expert on travel topics. She is a TravMedia member and serves on the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association board. Follow her adventures at robinonealsmith.com.

Newsweek contributors speak from a variety of backgrounds and offer expertise in a wide range of subject areas.